Jet-propelled spinning balloon



Aug. 25, 1953 J. KENNEDY JET-PROPELLED SPINNING'BALLOON 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 26 1950 E fa 8 TIE-..1

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Patented ug. 25, 191,5'3

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JET-PROPELLED SPINNING BALLOON John Kennedy, Detroit, Mich.

Application September 26, 1950, Serial No. 186,782

9 Claims.

My invention relates broadly to toys and more particularly to a jet-spinning toyballoon which uses air escaping from an inflated toy balloon to spin the balloon about its axis by jet-propulsion.

This application is a continuation-impart of my application Serial Number 683,030, led July 12, 1946, for Jet Propelled Spinning Balloon, now Patent 2,524,059 dated October 3, 1950.

One of the objects of my present invention is to provide a construction of plug which may be inserted into the mouth or neck of a conven tional toy balloon and used as a mouthpiece for inflating the balloon, the plug carrying outwardly directed jet arms terminating in orifices through Y which air escapes and builds up jet forces for spinning the balloon as an educational and entertaining toy.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of attachment for the mouth or neck of a conventional balloon for converting the generally inanimate ornamental toy balloon into a jet-propelled scientific and educational spinning toy for illustrating the principles of jet-propulsion.

Still another object of my present invention is to provide an inexpensive construction of molded plug insert for the neck or mouth of conventional toy balloons which includes a check valve for facilitating inilating of the toy balloon by mouth, for checking air escape between breaths, and where the plug carries a jet assembly, through which air may escape in a controlled manner, for

spinning the toy balloon about a suspension member connected with the plug. Y

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of angularly displaceable swivel connection for a valved plug insert for toy spinning ballons for facilitating inflation of the balloon and suspension of the balloon on a vertical axis for the jet-propulsion thereof as air escapes from the balloon. l

Still another object of my invention is to provide a construction of molded plug insert for the mouth or neck of toy spinning balloons where a jet assembly is carried by the plug in such manner that the jet assembly may be readily reversed in position for correspondingly changing the direction of rotation of the toy balloon about the suspension axis.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in a construction of attachment for conventional balloons for effecting a spinning thereof without the necessity of changing the conventional construction of the toy balloon as set forth more fully in the specification hereinafter fol- 2 lowing by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the jetpropelled plug attachment for toy balloons showing the attachment inserted in a fragmentary portion of a toy balloon; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the attachment shown in Fig. 1 with portions of the jets broken away and illustrated in section; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the jetpropelled plug attachment showing a fragmentary portion of a toy balloon illustrated in vertically suspended position; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the plug attachment of my invention shown in position at the end of a spinning cycle or just prior to inflation of the toy balloon; Fig. 5 illustrates the manner in which the suspension means may be readily moved out of obstructing position to enable the plug to be used as a mouthpiece for inflating the toy balloon preparatory to an operating cycle; Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed view of the inflating check valve which is used in the plug of my invention for preventing escape of air from the toy balloon during the inflating operation and between breaths; Fig. 7 is an enlarged detailed View of one of the jets showing the streamlined construction of the jet and the con- -nection of the jet supply tube therewith; Fig. 8

illustrates the plug attachment of my invention in side elevation with parts broken away and shown in section; Fig. 9 isa view similar to the view shown in Fig. 8 but illustrating the jet revolved about a horizontal axis through for spinning the suspended toy balloon in a clockwise direction with respect to the vertical suspended axis; Fig. 10 is an elevational view partially broken away and illustrated in vertical section of a modified form of my invention, in which the toy balloon is first inflated and then attached in the inflated form to the device of my invention; Fig. 11 illustrates the manner of attaching an inflated toy balloon to the modied spinning attachment illustrated in Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is an elevational view partially in section showing a further modified form of my invention; Fig. 13 is an elevational view partially broken away and shown in section of a form ofV my invention for spinning the inilated toy balloon on a iioat on the surface of water; Fig. 14 is a side elevational view with the jet arm shown in section and illustrating a-further modied form of my invention in which the entire central section including the check valve is molded in one section with the jet arm tube and the jet units molded separately; Fig. 15 is a vertical sectional view through the construction illustrated in Fig. 14 and illustrating the manner of locating the check valve within the central chamber of the attachment; Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line I-I 6 of Fig. and illustrating more fully the arrangement of the check valve in the central chamber of the attachment; Fig. 17 is a view showing the manner of connecting the jet unit with the jet tube in the form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 14-16; Fig. 18 '1s a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a modified construction of tubular member associated with an iniating mouthpiece and check Valve where the transverse jet tube serves as a keeper for limiting the clownward displacement of the check valve; and Fig. 19 is a view similar to the View shown in Fig. 18 but illustrating the arrangement of limiting means for the downward displacement of the check valve in a construction where the central tubular member and the jet tubes are of integral construction.

My invention is directed to a jet spinning toy balloon which uses air escaping from an iniated toy balloon to make it spin about a vertical axis by means of jet-propulsion. Air is trapped in the toy balloon by a one-way inlet valve which seals the air so it must escape by another exit than that by which it entered, and the exits are, in my invention, tiny air jets on the extreme ends of jet arms at right angles to the vertical axis of the toy balloon. The outward thrust of the escaping air pushes against the outside atmosphere and the reaction pushes the balloon in the opposite direction. The toy balloon is suspended on a swivel to prevent the string on which it hangs from kinking, and the balloon spins faster and faster as the speed builds up from the kick of the air escaping from the jets. This rotary motiin continues until all air is exhausted from the balloon, when it may be iniiated once more and the performance repeated indenitely as long as the balloon lasts.

In place of an inlet valve, a plug may be fitted into the mouth or neck of the balloon, and one end of the plug may be slightly tapered to t into the body chamber of the jet assembly. The balloon is held so that the neck is caught between the fingers of one hand while it is inflated by mouth, the fingers pinching the neck momentarily between breaths so no air escapes. Then the neck is held fast and the plug inserted into the jet assembly. The balloon is then held suspended by the string and the jets begin action at once to make the toy spin.

The toy is made in the following Ways:

l. With a tapered plug which rits into the bottom of the jet assembly, the other end of the plug fitting into the neck of the balloon.

2. Cast in a plastic injection mold in two sections which can then be Welded or cemented together to complete the assembly.

3. Made with the jet arms integral with the central body or separate. In the latter case, when the jet arms are inserted through the main body of the assembly with a snug push nt, the direction of rotation may be reversed by giving the jet arms a half-twist through a distance of 180.

4. With the air control valve cast integrally With the central jet chamber or inserted into the top of the central assembly with a snug push fit.

The toy of my invention is designed to appeal to children of all ages from three or four on up. This toy is scientific, educational and entertaining, easily manufactured, colorful, and uses a toy balloon for its motive power. The appeal of toy balloons for children is well-known.

The balloon can be used to illustrate in a simple, effective way the principle of jet-propulsion. Bands of color on the balloon make most interesting color effects when rotation takes place.

Another advantage of this toy is that in case a balloon bursts, the purchase of another balloon restores the toy to full usefulness, thus cutting in half the purchase price of a new one.

Referring to the drawings in detail reference character I designates the conventional toy balloon having the neck portion 2 adapted to be engaged over the inserted end of the molded plug 3. The plug 3 is molded in the form of a hollow tube. The exterior surface of the hollow tube may carry laterally extending spaced annular flanges which I have designated at 5, 6 and l. Flange i enables the resilient neck 2 of balloon I to be securely fastened to the end of the plug. The annular ange l at the other end of the plug may be provided with diametrically aligned socket recesses 8 and Si shown more clearly in Fig. 4 into which pintles III and II are engaged to provide a swivel connection. Pintles ID and I I are carried by the yoke member I2 which is adapted to be angularly moved about socket recesses 8 and 9 from a position illustrated in Fig. 5 to the position illustrated in Figs. 1-4 and in Figs. 8 and 9. The yoke I2 is provided with an eyelet It in the top thereof through which the vertically depending suspension cord l5 extends. Suspension cord I5 terminates in a bead I having the upper portion of its spherical surface contacting the lower face of eyelet I. Thus a condition of minimum friction is produced facilitating rotation of the yoke I2 about vertically extending suspension cord I5 with minimum frictional resistance and without twisting or kinking the suspension cord I5.

The upper end of the tubular plug 3 receives the insertable check valve shown more particularly in Fig. 6 as having a lower depending cylindrical portion Il, a horizontal flange portion I3 and an upwardly projecting mouthpiece I9 with an injection orifice 2t in the upper end thereof and with a resilient check valve member ZI conned for vertical movement interiorly thereof by means of the diametricallyvextending strip or keeper 22 in the lower end of cylindrical portion I'I. The resilient valve 2l is selected of such size that it is readily displaceable by the tendency of the air to escape through the hollow plug 3 for moving the resilient check valve member ZI against the inner face of injection orifice 20 for sealing orifice 2i) against escape of air after ination of the toy balloon I. As represented in Fig. 5 the yoke I2 is readily movable out of the path of the upwardly projecting portion I9 of the valve insert to enable the portion I9 to serve as a mouthpiece for blowing the breath through the hollow plug 3 and into the toy balloon I for inflating the balloon during which time the valve 2| is blown to a position limited by keeper 22 as represented in Fig. 5. Between breaths valve 2| is immediately thrust to the position illustrated in Fig. 9 sealing the injection orice 2B against escape of air.

The tubular plug 3 carries a diametrically eX- tending tubular jet arm illustrated at 23 which passes through tight fitting diametrically aligned apertures 24 and 25 in the tubular plug 3 in such manner that tubular jet arm 23 may be twisted more clearly in Fig. '7.

Ath'rc'iugli an angular distance of 180. The tubular jet arm 23 is perforated in one wall thereof centrally within hollow tubular plug 3 as represented at 26 for the passage of air from the inflated balloon I into the opposite ends of the tubular jet arm 23. Y

'I'he opposite ends of the tubular jet arm 23 carry streamlined jet units 21 and 28 shown The streamlined jet units are provided with jet orifices which I have represented at 21a and 28a extending on axes which are substantially normal to the axis of said tubular jet arm and each of which connects with a perforation 23a or 23h in the end-of the tubular jet arm 23. The jet units are recessed in the sides thereof to receive the ends of the jet arm 23 as shown. 'I'he jet orifice 21a extends in a direction opposite to the jet orifice 28a and as air escapes simultaneously from the jet arm 23 through both of these jet orifices a pressure is developed against the outside atmosphere and the reaction pushes the balloon in the opposite direction thereby developing a spinning movement about the vertical suspension axis of cord I5. rThe escape of the air through the jet orifices 21a and 28a is controlled by the size of the apertures 26 in jet arm 23 and the size of the Ijet orifices 21a and 28a so that the spinning time may be extended over a very substantial periodsufcient to clearly illustrate the jet-propulsion principle and provide both entertainment and instruction.

In Fig. I have shown a modified form of my invention in which the attachment is formed by a molded body portion 39 with integrally connected jet arms 3| and 32 terminating in jet units 33 and 34 which may be molded integrally with the ends of the jet arms. The upper end of the attachment 30 is closed by a solid end wall 30a and is provided with a swivel housing 35 extending therefrom within which the cord I5 terminates in bead I6 enabling the attachment to readily spin about the vertical axis of cord l5 depending from the hand supported rod 36. The body portion of the attachment 36 is provided with appropriate ornamental flanges represented at 31 and 36 and the Yend of the attachment 36 terminates in a tapered neck 39h. The tapered neck 30h is adapted to receive the tubular ferrule 39 which is carried by the neck of the toy balloon I and which serves as a mouthpiece for blowing up the toy balloon and as a means for frictionally 'engaging with the tapered end 30h of attachment 36 for connecting the toy balloon I to the attachment 36. In this arrangement the toy balloon I is first inflated as represented in Fig. 11 and the neck squeezed tight to maintain the toy balloon inflated during the .time that it is being attached to the tapered neck 36h. The attachment 36 is of hollow tubular construction and connected with the hollow tube jet arms 3| and 32 and to the jet units 33 and 34. Air is 'discharged from the jet orifices of the jet units thereof and with integrally molded jet arms 42Y and 43 extending from diametricallyopposite sides of the tubular attachment and with lthe lower end of the tubular attachment provided with flanges 44 and 45. Flange 45 serves as a means for attaching the toy balloon I after it has beenwinfiated.` The jet units 46 and 41 on opposite ends of the jet arms 42 and 43 are activated by the air pressure delivered from toy balloon I through the hollow tubular member 4I) and through jet arms 42 and 43. The plug 4I is provided with a swivel head 48 to which connection is made by suspension cord I5 and bead I6 enabling the toy balloon to spin around the axis of suspension cord I5.

In Fig. 13 I have shown the manner in which the attachment of my invention is utilized as a water toy. 'Ihe attachment is supported upon a iioat 49 which is adapted to oat on the surface of water 56 such as the water in a pond, bath tub or basin. The oat 49 has a centrally extending support 5I thereofv providing a vertically extending socket 5Ia into which the end of the tubular attachment 52 is vertically inserted so that the attachment stands vertically erect on lthe float 49 and has diametrically extending jet arms 53 and 54 connected therewith with jet units 55 and 56 on opposite ends thereof. The upper end of the tubular attachment 52 at 51 serves as an attachment means for the inflated toy balloon I. Air escaping from the inflated toy balloon I passes through the tubular attachment 52 and through jet'arrns 53 and 54 for delivery from jet units 55 and 56 for thus establishing spinning forces which revolve the float with the ltoy balloon connected therewith on the Surface Vof the water.

In Figs. 14-17 I have shown a further modified form of the attachment of my invention in which the hollow tubular attachment 56 terminates in an integrally connected mouthpiece 59 with an annular interior valve seat 60 located within the mouthpiece and coacting with a ball valve 6I which is restricted in movement by the seat 60 and diametrically extending confining pin 62. A swivel connection is made to the exterior of tubular member 58 as represented at 63 to which connection is made from suspension cord I5 and bead I6. Swivel 63 may be angularly moved out of position to provide access to mouthpiece 59 for inating toy balloon I. Thus the toy balloon will be inflated by blowing through the mouthpiece 59, and intermediate breaths the ball check valve 6I moves against seat 60 to prevent discharge of the air. In this form of my invention I provide a jet tube 65 extending diametrically of the attachment and connected with the interior of hollow tubular member 58 through a suitable port 66. The opposite ends of jet tube 65 are provided with jet units 61 and 68. In this form of my invention the jet units may be so connected with the ends of the jet tube 65 that they may be individually revolved as through a half twist to control the direction of rotation of the toy balloon.

Various constructions may be provided for permitting the jet units to be individually revolved with respect to the ends of the jet tube and the arrangement shown in Fig. 17 is to be considered only in the illustrative sense and not in the limiting sense. In this form of my invention the jet unit is represented at 61 as having an extension or shoulder 10 at one side thereof. This extension or shoulder extends around the end of jet tube 65 which extends into thejet unit 61 for discharging air through orifice 61a. The entry of jet tube 65 into jet unit 61 is limited by a pair of longitudinally extending lugs 69 on diametrically opposite sides thereof which abut against the inside wall of orifice 61a for positively spacing the end of the jet tube 65 from vce G'ia. in either oriented position thereof.

the orifice B'Ia thereby insuring a path for the discharge of air from jet tube 65 through the ori- A pair of resilient latching lugs ll and l2 are carried by opposite sides of the end of the jet tube E in positions in which they yieldably grip and latch over the annular shoulder 'l0 on jet unit el and prevent lateral withdrawal of the jet unit while permitting orientation thereof to direct the discharge of air in either of two opposite directions for correspondingly controlling the direction of rotation of the toy balloon.

In Fig. 18 I have shown a further modied form of my invention in which the jet tube E5 'passing through the hollow tubular attachment i3 serves as a keeper for the check Valve 'i5 which operates within the tubular mouthpiece i6 insertable within the cylindrical structure of the tubular member 53. The mouthpiece 'i6 has an iniiating orice in the end thereof which is automatically closed by the check valve 'i5 when the toy balloon is inated and when there is a tendency for the air to be discharged therefrom enabling the air to be directed through port te and jet tube di to the jet units on opposite ends thereof. When infiating the toy balloon using mouthpiece le check valve iii is blown away from the orifice in the mouthpiece. The upper end of the tubular member 'i3 is provided with an enlarged flange 'Mi in which the pivot ends of the swivel yoke 63 connect.

in Fig. i9 I have shown a similar arrangement for limiting the movement of the check valve 'i5 in a construction where the jet arms 'i8 and 'i3 are integral with the tubular member l?. In this arrangement the interior of the tubular member 'il' is provided with inwardly directed lugs 8i which form a stop for seating the check valve i5 in a position for the uniniiated condition of the toy balloon preparatory to being displaced to a position closing the orifice in the end of the mouthpiece 'i6 between breaths during inflation of the toy balloon. In this form the tubular member il is provided with a ange 8D at the end thereof into which the pivot ends of the swivel yoke G3 are adapted to enter.

While I have shown my invention as consisting of a tubular member attachable to a toy balloon, it will be understood that the several forms shown are to be considered in the illustrating sense and not in the limiting sense for the attachment may be decorated in any desired manner.

It will be apparent that the jet propulsion unit of my invention may be embodied in various forms and that various modifications of my invention may be made and that I intend no limitations upon my invention other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

i. A jet-propelled spinning balloon comprising in combination with an inflatable toy balloon terin a neck portion, a hollow cylindrical plug insertable at one end into the neel; portion of the toy balloon and having a swiveled connection device fastened to the opposite end thereof, suspension means connected with sai-:l swiveled connection device, an injection orifice in the last mentioned end of said plug, a check valve within said plug and coacting with the injection orifice for allowing ination of the balloon through the injection orifice and obstructing the injection orifice against escape of airftherethrough from the inflated balloon, and a tubular jet arm extending diametrically through saidhollow cylindrical plug and having an opening for the discharge of air from the interior of said tubular plug, said tubular jet arm having a jet orice on each end thereof whereby air escaping from the inflated balloon establishes pressure thrusts against the atmosphere for effecting a spinning of the toy balloon.

2. A jet-propelled spinning balloon comprising a tubular plug insertable into the neck portion of a toy balloon, means for swivelly suspending said plug for rotation about a vertical axis, a tubular jet arm extending horizontally through said plug and having a jet orince on each end thereof, said tubular jet arm being interiorly connected with said plug for providing an opening for the discharge of air from an inflated toy balloon through the jet orice at each end of said tubular jet arm for effecting a spinning of the toy balloon about the suspension axis as air from the inflated balloon discharges through the jet orices.

3. A jet-propelled spinning balloon comprising a hollow tubular plug having a swivel connection on one end thereof for vertically suspending the plug for rotation about a vertical axis, a connection at the other end of said hollow tubular plug with the neck of a. toy balloon, and a tubular jet arm extending diametrically through said hollow tubular plug and having an air discharge connection with the interior of said hollow tubular plug, said tubular jet arm having a jet orifice at each end thereof extending in an angular direction with respect to the axis of said tubular jet arm whereby air escaping from an inflated toy balloon connected with said plug is directed through the jet orces for establishing thrust pressure against the atmosphere for spinning the toy balloon about its vertically suspended axis.

4. A jet-propelled spinning balloon comprising a hollow tubular plug connected at its lower end with the resilient neck o a toy balloon and having a swivel connection at its upper end with a vertical suspension cord whereby said plug is rotatable about a vertical suspension axis, a tubular jet arm extending diametrically through said plug in a position intermediate the opposite ends thereof, an-d a jet unit fastened to each end of said tubular jet arm, said tubular jet arm having a passage interconnected with the hollow tubular plug for the discharge of air from an iniiated balloon connected with said plug therethrough and said jet units each having internal passages connected with the interior of said tubular jet arm for directing air discharged from the inflated balloon through said jet units and establishing pressure thrusts against the atmosp here for spinning said balloon about said suspension cord as an axis.

n 5. A jet-propelled spinning balloon as set forth in-claiin 4 in which said hollow plug includes a unidirectional inflating valve in the swivel end thereof for initially inating the toy balloon and subsequently confining the discharge of aii therefrom to a path through said tubular jet arm.

6. A jet-propelled spinning balloon as set forth in claim 4 in which said tubular jet arm is mounted for rotation about its axis within said plug through a distance of approximately for changing the eective direction of discharge of saidjet units vand correspondingly controlling the direct-ion of spinning of the toy balloon.

7. jet-propelled spinning balloon as set forth 1n claim 4 in which a unidirectional check valve for iniiating the toy balloon is carried in the upper end of said tubular plug and'wherein said swivel connection is effected by means comprising a pivotally mounted yoke which is displaceable from a position above said unidirectional check Valve to a non-obstructing position enabling ination of the toy balloon through said unidirectional check valve as a mouthpiece preparatory to a spinning' operation of the suspended balloon.

8. A jet-propelled spinning balloon as set forth in claim 4 in which each of said jet units has a streamlined contour projecting on opposite sides of the axis of said tubular jet arm and with the jet orices of said units extending in opposite directions with reference to the spinning path of -the toy balloon.

9. A jet-propelled spinning balloon as set forth in claim 1 in which said tubular jet arm extends 10 through said hollow cylindrical plug in a position in Which it forms a keeper for limiting the displacement of said check Valve with respect to said injection orifice.

JOHN KENNEDY.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date D. 161.939 Kennedy Feb. 13, 1951 1,051,004 Pfeiffer Jan. 21, 1913 2,393,796 Mordan Jan. 29, 1946 2,449,405 Mordan Sept. 14, 1948 2,484,468 Schaad Oct. 11, 1949 2,524,059 Kennedy Oct. 3, 1950 

